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Form  No.   471 


I 


A   TRIBUTE   OF   LOVE 


By  courtesy  of  Mr.  Edwin  L.  Brown.  Jr., 
of  the  Brown  Book  Company,  Asheville,  there 
has  come  into  our  hands  a  neat  little  booklet 
entitled  "In  Memory  of  Rev.  Charles  Wesley 
Byrd,  D.  D."  This  is  really  a  tribute  of  love, 
"published  as  a  memorial  to  their  beloved  pas- 
tor by  the  members  of  Central  Methodist 
Church,  Asheville,  North  Carolina.*'  Thus  it 
is  dedicated  as  the  expression  of  that  peculiar 
love  which  only  a  congregation  feels  for  a  pas- 
tor who  has  given  long  years  of  service  in  a 
rich  and  helpful  ministry.  The  little  booklet 
contains  a  tribute  written  by  Rev.  TV.  L.  Sher- 
rill^  giving  the  salient  facts  of  his  ministerial 
life,  together  with  a  beautiful  and  discrimina- 
ting estimate  of  his  character  as  a  minister  and 
leader.  It  contains  also  a  reprint  of  the 
prayers  from  the  church  bulletin  as  prepared 
from  week  to  week  by  Dr.  Byrd  through  sev- 
eral months  prior  to  his  death. 

As  an  expression  of  holy  sentiment  and  1  »f  ty 
emotion  and  desire  these  prayers  have  hardly 
been  excelled  in  all  the  rounds  of  sacred  litera- 
ture. Altogether,  as  the  expression  of  a  holy 
gevition  on  the  part  of  the  congregation  which 
enjoyed  his  ministry  so  much  and  who  valued 
him  in  his  capacity  as  a  great  spiritual  leader, 
it  is  as  the  box  of  precious  ointment  in  the 
home  at  Bethany. 

This  book  was  not  printed  with  any  commer- 
cial end  in  view,  but  simply  as  a  memorial,  yet 
there  are  a  few  copies  which  may  be  had  by 
addressing  the  Brown  Book  Company,  Ashe- 
ville, N.  C,  inclosing  15  cents. 


CENTRAL  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH,  SOUTH 


praters 


OF 


ftew  Qbarles  TJPesle?  B?r&,  IXD, 


REPRINTED  FROM 

BULLETINS  OF  CENTRAL  METHODIST  CHURCH 

JUNE  10,  1917,  TO  JANUARY  13,  1918 


TRIBUTE  BY 

REV.  WILLIAM  L.  SHERRILL 

SECRETARY  OF  WESTERN  NORTH 
CAROLINA  CONFERENCE 


PUBLISHED  AS  A  MEMORIAL 

TO  THEIR  BELOVED  PASTOR  BY  THE 

MEMBERS  OF  CENTRAL  METHODIST  CHURCH 

ASHEVILLE,  NORTH  CAROLINA 


REV     CHARLES    WESLEY    BYRD.    D.D. 


A  TRIBUTE  TO  THE  LATE 
REV.  CHARLES  WESLEY  BYRD,  D.D. 


BY  WILLIAM  L.  SHERRTLL 


WITH  such  abundant  material  at  hand  it  is  difficult 
to  compass  within  limited  space  the  many  noble 
traits   which   enriched   the  character  of  the  late 
Rev.  Charles  Wesley  Byrd,  D.D.,  who  served  for  so  many 
years  as  the  pastor  of  Central  Church. 

He  was  born  on  March  23rd,  1858,  in  Harnett  County, 
N.  C,  son  of  J.  A.  and  Caroline  Byrd.  In  youth  he 
joined  the  Methodist  Church,  for  he  early  learned  to  fear 
the  Lord.  He  was  educated  at  Jonesboro  High  School, 
the  University  of  Xorth  Carolina  and  Vanderbilt  Uni- 
versity. Then  in  December,  1882,  at  Raleigh,  he  was 
admitted  on  trial  into  the  Xorth  Carolina  Conference  and 
has  served  the  following  charges : 

1883— Scotland  Neck. 
1884-86— Morehead  City. 

1887-89— First  Church,  Salisbury. 
1890— Hav  Street,  Favetteville. 
1891-92— Central  Church,  Asheville. 
1893— Presiding  Elder,  Shelby  District. 
1894-96— Presiding  Elder,  Asheville  District 
1897-99— Central  Church,  Asheville. 
1900 — Settle  Memorial,  Owensboro,  Ky. 
1901-04— First  Church,  Atlanta,  Ga. 
1905-06— St.  John's,  Augusta,  Ga. 
1907-10— West  End,  Nashville,  Tenn. 
1911-12— Central  Church,  Asheville. 
1913-16— West  Market  Street,  Greensboro. 
1917-18— Central  Church,  Asheville. 


During  this  long  period  he  was  Presiding  Elder  for 
four  years  and  Station  Preacher  for  thirty-two  years.  His 
field  of  activity  was  scattered  over  five  annual  Confer- 
ences, viz :  the  North  Carolina,  Western  North  Carolina, 
Louisville,  North  Georgia,  and  Tennessee,  in  which  he 
served  in  succession,  many  leading  churches  of  the  Con- 
nection, distinguishing  himself  uniformly,  as  a  con- 
scientious pastor,  an  able  minister  of  the  Word,  and  a  wise 
and  zealous  leader  of  the  hosts  of  Israel. 

During  his  pastorate  in  Salisbury,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Hattie  Bobbitt,  daughter  of  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  William 
H.  Bobbitt,  of  blessed  memory,  and  he  found  in  her  a 
stay  and  support  during  the  remaining  years  of  his  pil- 
grimage. She  still  survives,  with  the  only  son,  William 
Bobbitt  Byrd,  now  in  the  service  of  his  country,  in  the 
Aviation  Corps. 

Dr.  Byrd  had  just  entered  hopefully  upon  the  second 
year  of  his  fourth  term  as  pastor  of  Central  Church,  seem- 
ingly in  usual  health,  when  the  New  Year  (1918)  began. 
He  held  the  mid-week  prayer  service  on  Wednesday  even- 
ing, January  the  second,  and  then  made  a  pastoral  call 
before  returning  to  the  parsonage.  Before  the  morning 
dawned^  however,  he  was  mortally  stricken,  and  in  a  few 
hours  his  pure  spirit  was  released  to  wing  its  flight  to  the 
eternal  home.  His  people  were  broken-hearted,  not  only 
because  "a  mighty  man  and  a  Prince  in  Israel"  had  fallen, 
but  because  the  shepherd  of  the  flock,  one  whom  they  loved 
as  a  leader  and  leaned  upon  as  a  friend,  had  been  suddenly 
called  away. 

He  departed  as  he  ofen  wished  he  might,  in  the  midst 
of  active  service,  for  he  went  literally  from  labor  to  re- 
ward. The  mortal  body  was  lovingly  laid  to  rest  in  the 
bosom  of  the  great  mountains,  in  Riverside,  near  to  the 
people  whom  he  loved  and  to  whom  he  had  ministered  so 
long  and  faithfully. 

He  possessed  strong  native  intellect  and  took  the  full 
advantage  of  splendid  school  opportunities,  so  that  when 
he  came  to  the  pastorate  he  was  richly  furnished  in  mind 
and  heart  for  his  holy  task. 


The  studious  habits  of  his  youth  were  continued  to  the 
very  end  of  his  life,  and  his  mental  vigor  increased  with 
the  years,  so  that  his  wide  and  varied  knowledge,  stamped 
him,  in  his  latter  days,  as  a  man  of  very  broad  culture. 
He  was  a  brilliant  man  without  vanity,  a  scholar  without 
pedantry,  a  churchman  without  bigotry,  a  saint  without 
fanaticism,  and  so  sincerely  sympathetic  that  he  held  as 
'"with  hooks  of  steel"  the  many  friends  of  all  classes  and 
conditions,  whom  he  attracted  by  his  gentle  and  magnetic 
manner.  His  genuine  warm-heartedness,  his  cheerful  good 
humor,  his  human-interest  spirit,  his  thorough  familiarity 
with  Biblical  and  all  polite  literature,  joined  with  his 
charming  conversational  gifts,  made  him  a  most  com- 
panionable man. 

He  had  a  rich  Christian  experience.  uHis  conversa- 
tion was  in  heaven."  His  words  were  verily  seasoned  with 
salt,  and  he  steadily  grew  in  grace  and  in  knowledge  and 
in  capacity  for  usefulness  to  the  very  last  day  of  his  life. 

With  all  his  tenderness  and  sympathy  for  others  he 
also  possessed  a  quality  of  courage  which  knew  no  fear 
and  a  strength  of  endurance  which  conquered  opposition. 

He  had  deep  and  fixed  convictions  about  everything 
worthwhile.  He  never  preached  to  please  the  multitude 
and  never  fawned  in  the  presence  of  power.  He  never 
flinched  or  faltered  when  duty  called,  and  all  men  knew 
where  to  find  him  when  moral  standards  were  assailed. 

He  never  sought  position  or  looked  with  favor  on  any- 
one who  did,  and  all  the  honors  which  ever  came  to  him 
were  but  commands  to  take  up  tasks  for  which  he  was 
prepared. 

"His  life  was  gentle ;  and  the  elements 
So  mixed  in  him,  that  nature  might  stand  up 
And  say  to  all  the  world :  this  is  a  man." 

He  loved  his  church  and  gave  it  his  best  service.  He 
was  a  true  disciple  of  Wesley,  and  an  able  defender  of  the 
doctrines  of  Arminianism,  but  withal  he  was  so  broad  in 
his  sympathies  and  so  tolerant  of  the  faith  of  others,  that 
men  of  all  communions  were  his  friends. 


He  loved  to  preach  and  was  a  preacher  whom  the  peo- 
ple gladly  heard,  for  he  was  not  only  a  man  of  ripe  scholar- 
ship, but  his  heart  overflowed  with  love  for  God  and  man. 
Then,  too,  his  rich  vocabulary,  his  clear  enunciation,  his 
keen  spiritual  perception,  his  vivid  imagination,  his  fervid 
eloquence  and  his  logical  presentation  of  the  truth,  all 
crowned  with  a  deep  yearning  for  the  lost,  made  him  a 
very  powerful  and  popular  preacher,  and  the  Lord  won- 
derfully blessed  his  labors,  as  evidenced  by  the  record  that 
in  nearly  every  charge  he  served,  the  church  was  strength- 
ened by  substantial  additions  on  profession  of  faith. 

He  not  only  loved  to  preach,  but  it  was  his  joy  to 
assist  his  brethren  in  meetings,  and  while  generally  bur- 
dened with  the  heavy  duties  of  a  city  pastorate,  he  never 
seemed  too  busy  to  aid  a  preacher  in  revival  work  in  a 
country  church  or  struggling  mission.  Being  warned  a 
little  while  ago  that  he  was  working  too  hard  and  that  he 
should  conserve  his  strength  for  lengthened  service,  he  re- 
plied that  an  invitation  to  preach  was  a  call  to  duty,  and 
however  physically  unfit  he  might  feel,  he  hesitated  to 
refuse  to  obey  what  might  be  a  command  of  the  Spirit. 
He  did  not  do  his  work  in  perfunctory  fashion,  when  he 
preached  he  stood  forth  as  the  prophet  of  God  with  a  full 
consciousness  of  the  terrible  responsibility,  and  when  he 
visited  a  family,  his  aim  was  to  leave  a  holy  influence 
behind  him,  and  it  was  his  rule  to  pray  with  his  people. 
Sometimes  it  was  difficult  to  get  the  family  together  for 
prayer,  and  usually  when  such  was  the  case,  he  would 
offer  a  brief  parting  petition  with  the  company  standing. 
His  pastoral  visits  were  benedictions  long  to  be  remem- 
bered by  many  who  were  under  his  watchful  care. 

His  public  prayers  were  scriptural  in  expression,  trans- 
parent in  their  simplicity,  and  uttered  with  such  earnest- 
ness of  faith  that  worshippers  forgot  the  sordid  things  of 
the  world  and  were  lifted  into  a  devout  and  serious  frame. 

He  loved  his  brethren  and  was  by  them  loved  and 
recognized  as  one  of  the  wise  leaders  of  the  Conference. 
They  made  him  President  of  the  Conference  Historical 
Society   and  of  the   Sunday   School  Board,  and  he  was 


honored  as  a  delegate  to  the  General  Conference  of  1894 
and  1898,  and  at  our  recent  session  at  Asheville  was 
elected  to  the  forthcoming  General  Conference.  He  was 
a  Trustee  of  Vanderbilt  University  and  of  several  of  our 
Conference  Institutions. 

He  loved  his  country  and  longed  to  go  to  the  front  to 
minister  to  the  soldiers,  but  on  account  of  age  and  phy- 
sical infirmity,  it  was  not  deemed  expedient. 

He  loved  the  struggling  young  preachers,  and  his 
kindly  interest  and  tactful  help  was  an  inspiration  and 
strength  to  many  of  them  who  needed  and  longed  for  the 
counsel  and  encouragement  of  older  and  wiser  men. 

He  was  loved  by  the  people  in  all  the  charges  which 
he  served,  but  he  was  best  known  and  most  loved  by  the 
people  of  Central  Church  to  whom  he  had  ministered  in 
the  Gospel  as  pastor  and  presiding  elder  for  twelve  years, 
or  one-third  of  the  full  period  of  his  ministerial  life. 

This  good  man  who  so  faithfully  labored  among  us, 
we  feel  sure,  has  safely  entered  through  the  gates  into  that 
"city  which  hath  foundations,  whose  builder  and  maker 
is  God." 

"Servant  of  God,  well  done, 

Rest  from  thy  loved  employ; 
The  battle  fough,  the  victory  won, 
Enter  thy  Master's  joy." 

Charlotte,  X.  C,  April  1,  1918. 


REPRINT  FROM  CHURCH  BULLETIN 
JANUARY  6,  1918 


THIS  is  a  day  of  holy  sorrow  in  Central  Church.  Our 
man  of  God  has  gone  home.  Not  with  sackcloth 
and  ashes  nor  with  emblems  of  dead  hopes  do  we 
mourn.  We  know  where  he  has  gone  for  he  has  shown  us 
the  way.  Hand  in  hand  with  his  Master  he  walked  the 
shining  road  and  entered  the  gates  of  the  city  whose  maker 
and  builder  is  God. 

At  the  battle's  front  he  fell.  And  thus  the  good  soldier 
desired  to  go.  Ofttimes  he  had  asked  that  the  end  might 
be  like  this — that  his  marching  orders  might  come  in  one 
clear  call  from  the  King. 

We  knew  him  well.  His  life  lies  like  an  open  book 
upon  the  altars  of  this  city.  So  humble  was  he  that  few 
knew  the  vast  breadth  of  his  scholarship  nor  of  the  honors 
that  his  church  and  nation  had  heaped  upon  him.  But 
all  knew  him  as  the  unwearied  friend  of  the  lowly,  the 
bearer  of  light  to  darkened  windows,  and  the  wise  coun- 
sellor of  men  who  were  treading  in  perilous  ways.  The 
tears  of  bitterness  flowing  from  stony  griefs  were  sweet- 
ened by  his  words  of  comfort  and  the  undefiled  joys  of 
life  became  radiant  in  his  smile.  Four  times  our  pastor; 
forever  our  friend;  an  influence  for  good  as  eternal  as  the 
hills  upon  which  our  city  stands. 

Little  children  stopped  their  play,  boys  and  girls 
walked  in  silence,  strong  men  and  women  laid  down  the 
accustomed  task  and  the  old  sat  bv  saddened  firesides. 


He  pointed  the  way,  took  up  his  staff  and  started  on.  The 
journey  is  now  done  and  he  awaits  us  There. 

A  mind  unmarred  by  any  littleness,  a  soul  unblemished 
by  any  stain,  a  character  as  up  right  as  the  walls  of  heaven, 
a  love — ah,  there  he  was  the  strongest  and  best — a  great 
follower  of  his  Great  Leader. 

Among  the  hills  where  he  had  so  often  seen  the  "trail- 
ing garments  of  the  Most  High"  he  walked  with  "a  God, 
mighty  to  save  and  strong  to  deliver."  Through  blinding 
tears  of  love  and  gratitude  we  follow  on. 

Hail  and  farewell,  O  Mighty  Man  of  God. 


W 


PRAYERS 

OF 

REV.  CHARLES  WESLEY  BYRD,  D.D. 


Sunday,  June  10th,  1917 
Lord,  make  this  day  with  its  opportunities  of  rest  and 
worship  a  day  of  great  spiritual  refreshment.  Help  us  to 
put  aside  our  worldly  cares  and  come  to  Thee  with  open 
minds  and  receptive  hearts  so  that  we  may  go  away  from 
our  place  of  worship  with  clearer  vision,  deeper  spiritual 
insight,  truer  ideals  of  life,  and  renewed  strength  for  the 
performance  of  its  duties.  Minister  comfort  to  burdened, 
sorrowing  hearts,  pronounce  within  us  the  sentence  of 
absolution  that  will  bring  peace  to  our  anxious  souls  and 
hear  and  answer  the  agonizing  cry  that  goes  up  from  all 
hearts  for  a  warring  bleedins  world. 


Sunday,  June  17th,  1917 
Loving  Father,  Thy  Providence  has  supplied  the  needs 
of  our  bodies,  and  Thy  grace  has  sustained  our  spirits 
during  the  work  and  temptations  of  another  week.  We 
are  grateful  to  Thee  for  Thy  love  and  care,  but  we  need 
Thy  pardoning  mercy  for  we  have  sinned  against  Thee  in 
more  ways  than  we  can  recall.  Have  mercy  upon  us  and 
pardon  our  offenses.  Make  us  increasingly  sensitive  to 
the  approaches  of  evil,  that,  turning  away  from  it.  we  may 
turn  to  Thee  with  deeper  devotion,  and  serve  Thee  with 
more  perfect  loyalty.  Make  the  sen-ices  of  Thy  house 
today  useful  to  all  who  engage  in  worship  with  us.  Let 
Thy  love  and  Fatherly  solicitude  move  the  hearts  of  the 
unsaved,  and  lead  Thy  children  to  more  perfect  consecra- 
tion to  the  Redeemer  that  has  washed  and  saved  us  by 
His  blood. 


11 


Sunday,  June  24th,  1917 

Lord,  help  us  to  realize  the  sacredness  of  this  day,  and 
to  enter  upon  the  public  worship  in  which  we  engage  with 
becoming  reverence  and  with  that  expectant  faith  which 
will  fit  us  to  receive  the  forgiveness  of  our  sins,  and  that 
bestowment  of  grace  which  we  need  for  the  duties  that 
await  us  in  the  coming  days  of  this  week.  Endue  Thy 
ministers  everywhere  with  power  that  their  preaching  may 
awaken  sinners  and  comfort  and  strengthen  Thy  children 
in  all  their  toil  and  temptations. 

Grant  special  blessings  to  the  visitors  among  us  today, 
and  make  the  worship  of  this  hour  an  epoch  in  the  life  of 
at  least  some  of  them. 

Hear  and  answer  the  prayer  that  goes  up  from  all  our 
hearts  for  our  country  in  this  awful  crisis,  for  the  church 
of  God  that  it  may  be  increasingly  loyal  to  Thee,  and  for 
the  world  that  is  torn  with  strife  and  engaged  in  war. 


Sunday,  July  1st,  1917 
Lord,  we  desire  above  all  things  to  feel  deeply  our  need 
of  Thee,  and  of  the  gifts  that  Thou  alone  canst  bestow,  for 
Thou  hast  taught  us  that  it  is  only  those  who  hunger  and 
thirst  after  righteousness  that  shall  be  filled.  Send  Thy 
spirit  into  our  hearts  to  awaken  in  us  a  consciousness  of 
our  incompleteness  without  Thine  indwelling  presence. 
Come  into  our  hearts,  O  Christ,  and  dwell  there  by  faith 
till  through  this  vital  union  of  our  weakness  with  Thy 
strength  we,  too,  shall  be  strong:  till  by  Thy  transforming 
power  we  shall  be  freed  from  sin  and  made  pure  in  heart, 
Christ-like  in  purpose,  and  Holy  in  all  manner  of  con- 
versation. 


Sunday,  July  8th,  1917 
Search  us,  O  Lord,  and  know  us,  and  make  us  to  know 
ourselves  this  morning  with  that  knowledge  which  will 
produce  in  us  a  wholesome  dissatisfaction  with  our  spirit- 
ual attainments;  then  lead  us  to  the  Source  of  all  our 
help.     Give  us  that  cheerful  piety  which  will  commend 

12 


our  religion  to  all  men.  Let  Thy  special  blessing  be  upon 
the  stranger  in  our  midst.  Bless  and  comfort  the  sick  who 
are  in  our  city  seeking  health  and  help  us  this  day,  which 
is  set  apart  especially  to  the  consideration  of  the  Good 
Samaritan  Mission,  to  do  that  which  Thou  wouldst  have 
us  do.  Make  our  worship  today  a  season  of  great  refresh- 
ment and  so  order  it  that  we  who  are  accustomed  to  wor- 
ship here  together  with  visitors  from  other  sections  of  our 
country,  may  be  refreshed  and  brought  close  to  Him  who 
alone  can  save  from  the  temptations  that  are  incident  to 
common  life.  Lead  any  unsaved  one  among  us  to  sur- 
render his  life  to  Christ  this  morning.     Amen. 


Sunday,  July  15th,  1917 

Our  Father,  in  Thy  love,  compassion  and  long- 
suffering,  Thou  hast  borne  with  us  another  week.  Thy  sun 
has  shone  upon  us,  Thy  rain  has  fallen,  and  Thy  bounties 
have  supplied  all  our  needs.  If  there  has  been  in  any  of 
us  a  spirit  of  complaint  and  repining  we  pray  that  the 
memory  of  Thy  love  and  care  may  humble  us  and  lead  us 
to  repentance.  Minister  to  us  today  great  Spiritual  bless- 
ings, so  that  we  may  overflow  all  the  week  with  Christ-like 
love  and  helpfulness  .  May  those  who  abide  with  us  under 
the  same  roof,  and  those  who  toil  with  us  at  the  same  task, 
see  in  our  faces  the  light  of  Thy  countenance  and  hear  in 
our  speech  the  ring  of  Thy  voice. 

Give  wisdom,  patience,  and  patriotism  to  all  the  people 
of  this  our  native  land.  Grant  special  blessings  to  those 
who  administer  its  laws.  Let  those  who  interpret  them 
have  the  help  and  guidance  that  Thou  hast  always  given 
to  devout,  God-fearing  men  in  even*  land.  Put  Thy  hand 
in  a  beneficent  way  into  the  Legislation  that  is  now  pend- 
ing in  the  American  Congress.  We  know  that  Thy  pres- 
ence and  power  can  be  traced  in  the  currents  of  human 
history  as  well  as  in  the  starry  skies.  Protect  and  defend 
our  Armies,  and  give  them  success  against  the  enemies  of 
human  liberty  and  the  oppressors  of  helpless  women  and 
children. 

13 


Lay  upon  our  hearts  Thy  quieting  hand  in  these  times 
of  anxiety  and  solicitude,  and  help  us  with  confidence  in 
Thy  wisdom  and  grace  to  go  to  our  daily  tasks  with  the 
sweet  assurance  that  Jesus  Christ  is  still  Head  over  all 


things  to  the  Church.    Amen. 


Sunday,  July  22nd,  1917 
Almighty  God,  Thou  hast  assured  us  again  and  again 
that  Thou  art  love,  but  wTe  do  not  even  know  what  that 
means.  We  always  feel  our  need  of  One  greater  and  better 
than  the  best  of  us,  therefore  we  feel  after  Thee  praying 
for  the  manifestation  of  Thy  presence.  Our  cry  has  often 
seemed  to  be  in  the  darkness,  but  sometimes  we  have  seen 
Thy  face,  heard  Thy  voice,  and  felt  Thy  touch.  Help  us 
to  see  Thee  today  in  every  blooming  flower,  and  to  hear 
Thy  voice  in  every  whispering  breeze.  Thy  sanctuary  is 
well  known  to  all  of  us,  but  oh!  how  seldom  we  enter  it. 
Thou  art  in  the  Christ  and  the  Cross  of  His  Redemption 
is  ever  accessible  to  us.  To  Him  we  turn  our  eager  eyes 
today,  and  our  hearts  are  filled  with  expectation.  Surely 
Thou  wilt  not  disappoint  our  look  of  trust,  for  the  prayer 
of  the  simple  has  always  reached  Thy  heart.  Our  plea  is 
for  pardon,  our  cry  is,  "O  God,  be  merciful  unto  me,  a 
sinner,"  and  forgive  us  our  transgressions  and  cleanse  us 
from  our  sins.  To  this  appeal,  if  made  in  penitence  and 
sincerity,  Thou  hast  only  one  reply;  and  may  we  be  made 
to  rejoice  in  a  pardoning  God.  We  know  Thy  mercy,  and 
realize  that  there  are  tears  in  the  very  eyes  of  Thy  judg- 
ment. We  come  not  to  Thy  judgment  this  morning,  but  to 
Thy  mercy  and  Thy  compassion.  We  desire  to  stand  be- 
fore the  cross  of  the  Saviour  rather  than  before  the  throne 
of  the  Judge.  We  plead  the  mysterious  blood  and  the 
wondrous  sacrifice  which  no  man  can  explain  but  which 
we  all  can  feel,  and  which  touches  our  hearts  and  awakens 
our  love.  Let  none  of  us  depart  from  this  place  without  a 
blessing,  but  may  the  bounty  of  Thy  house  satisfy  our 
hungry  souls  and  may  we  go  to  our  toils  and  temptations 
with  the  consciousness  of  Thy  companionship  and  help. 
Amen. 

14 


Sunday,  July  29th,  1917 
We  realize,  O  Father,  that  great  and  incomprehensible 
as  Thou  art  Thou  dost  desire  to  hold  fellowship  with  us, 
and  to  know  that  our  hearts  respond  to  that  desire.  It  is 
a  great  thing  to  feel  that  there  is  something  in  us  that  Thou 
dost  deem  worthy  to  work  along  with  Thee.  Our  sen-ice 
has  no  strength  in  it  but  Thou  dost  accept  our  desires  to 
be  strong.  Thou  knowest  the  impotence  of  our  best  efforts 
but  Thou  art  always  saying  to  us  "Will  thou  be  made 
whole?"  Lord  help  us  this  morning  in  our  worship  to 
yield  the  one  peculiar  gift  with  which  Thou  hast  endowed 
Us  a  willingness  to  be.  If  we  are  so  earth-bound  that  we 
cannot  work  with  Thee  let  us,  at  heart,  wish  with  Thee. 
As  we  sit  in  Thy  house  today  may  our  imaginations  take 
wings  and  bring  to  us  great  etilaying  and  uplifting  dreams 
for  what  we  would  do  if  we  were  only  free.  Help  us  here, 
in  this  holy  place  to  plan  for  the  race  that  is  before  us  when 
we  shall  no  longer  linger  in  impotence  and  despair  about 
the  porch  of  Bethsaida.  Show  us  the  road  of  beneficence  in 
which  we  have  never  walked,  and  let  Thy  Spirit  point  our 
hearts  to  those  labors  of  love  which  Thou  art  waiting  to 
enable  us  to  perform.  Kindle  in  us  the  desire,  and  accept 
it  till  such  time  as  we  shall  perform  the  deed.  Infold  in 
us  the  beautiful  fragrant  flower  of  noble  desire  and  cherish 
that  flower  till  the  fruit  matures.  Lord  write  in  Thy  book 
of  remembrance  that  there  waits  before  Thee  today  a  con- 
gregation that  desires  to  be  made  whole.    Amen. 


Sunday,  August  5  th,  1917 
Almighty  God,  by  love  alone  we  can  know  Thee.  Help 
us  to  send  out  our  hearts  after  Thee  and  to  come  back  with 
them  all  aglow  with  Thy  Grace  and  pulsating  with  Thy 
life.  The  world  to  us  has  proven  a  great  emptiness,  its 
cup  has  been  unsatisfying  in  the  hour  of  our  supreme  need. 
But  in  Christ  we  have  found  the  Bread  for  which  we 
hunger  and  the  Water  for  which  we  thirst.  He  is  the  cen- 
ter of  our  security  and  the  Source  of  our  peace.  We  open 
our  hearts  to  Him  today  that  He  may  restore  and  complete 

15 


our  fellowship  with  God.  We  listen  for  the  voices  that 
are  grand  with  the  music  of  the  time  in  which  we  have 
been  lifted  to  the  Mount  of  Transfiguration — voices  that 
are  tremulous  with  answers  to  our  present  needs.  Make 
us  willing  to  serve,  patient  to  endure,  alert  to  reach  out  a 
helping  hand  to  the  helpless,  the  sick  and  the  tempted. 

Many  among  us  are  filled  with  sorrow  and  pain,  some 
have  been  chilled  with  strange  bereavement,  and  many  are 
anxious  for  loved  ones  who  are  called  to  places  of  danger 
and  death  in  the  service  of  our  country.  Comfort  such 
souls  and  make  their  sorrows  the  roots  of  an  enduring  joy. 
Amen. 

Sunday,  August  12th,  1917 
Loving  Father,  how  shall  we  approach  Thee  today? 
We  are  deeply  conscious  that  we  dare  not  rely  on  our  own 
merit,  for  we  have  been  absorbed,  during  the  week,  in  tasks 
that  were  sordid,  in  thoughts  in  which  Thou  hast  had  no 
place  and  we  have  been  caught  in  the  grip  of  material 
interests  that  have  kept  us  back  from  the  pursuit  of  Spirit- 
ual Ideals  and  the  maintenance  of  fellowship  with  Thee. 
We  are  here  to  seek  Thy  pardon  and  to  pray  for  that  purity 
which  will  enable  us  to  see  Thee  and  that  power  which 
will  fit  us  for  the  tasks  before  us  and  that  wisdom  that  will 
direct  us  in  all  our  duties.  Make  Thy  word  a  source  of 
comfort  to  Thy  people  today  and  clothe  it  with  power  to 
convert  sinners  and  lead  them  into  the  Kingdom  of  God. 
Lay  Thy  loving  hand  upon  the  hearts  of  the  vast  numbers 
of  young  men  that  are  being  called  to  the  colors  of  our 
country  at  this  season.  Help  the  church  to  successfully 
point  them  to  Christ  and  lead  them  to  enlist  in  the  highest 
service  before  they  go  to  the  fields  of  conflict.  Comfort 
the  hearts  of  their  kindred  and  friends  from  whom  they 
must  be  separated  in  the  service  to  which  they  are  called. 
Give  them  courage  to  fight  like  heroes  and  crown  with 
success  their  efforts  to  overthrow  autocracy,  militarism, 
and  oppression.  Let  their  lives  be  precious  in  Thy  sight 
and  save  by  Thy  Grace  those  who  shall  fall  on  the  field 
of  conflict  and  those  who  are  to  return  to  their  homes. 
Amen. 

16 


Sunday,  August  19th,  1917 
Almighty  God,  we  would  listen  to  the  voice  divine  this 
morning  and  turn  a  deaf  ear  to  all  others.  The  varied 
music  of  other  voices  assail  our  ears;  but  may  we  detect 
in  them  the  hollowness,  the  selfishness  and  the  worldliness 
with  which  they  are  filled,  and  may  our  spiritual  hunger 
and  thirst  cau^e  us  to  turn  to  Him  who  said.  "I  am  the 
bread  of  life,  I  am  the  water  of  life."'  Thy  goodness  has 
preserved  us.  and  Thy  tender  compassion  has  kept  us. 
Thy  love  stooped  to  save  us.  Thy  Son  came  to  show  us 
the  way  back  to  Thee  and  today  we  are  the  objects  of  Thy 
mercy.  If  Thy  blessings  are  continued  to  us  we  shall 
never  die.  Help  us  to  see  Thy  image  in  man,  and  then 
shall  we  know  that  we  are  indeed  the  temple  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  we  shall  welcome  Him  into  our  inner  man  and 
be  sanctified  and  enlightened  by  His  presence.  We  desire 
to  carry  the  battle  of  life  to  triumph,  but  we  can  do  this 
only  through  Thy  pity  and  Thy  love.  May  our  medita- 
tions of  Thee  be  sweet  in  Thy  house  today.  We  need  Thee 
at  all  times,  on  the  mountain  top  where  the  sun  shines,  and 
in  the  deep  valley  where  all  is  dark.  We  need  Thee  in 
the  heat  of  Summer  and  the  cold  of  Winter.  May  Thy 
hand  lead  us  through  life's  stress  and  storm  and  tempta- 
tion, till  we  reach  the  peace,  the  joy,  and  the  security  of 
Heaven.     Amen. 


Sunday,  August  26th,  1917 

Loving  Father,  we  need  Thy  help  this  morning  more 
than  usual.  We  have  allowed  worldly  cares  and  secular 
interests  to  dominate  us  until  we  are  not  in  the  mood  that 
ought  to  characterize  us  when  we  come  into  Thy  house  or 
undertake  to  engage  in  our  accustomed  worship.  Forgive 
our  sins  and  breathe  into  our  hearts  a  spirit  of  worship 
and  true  devotion. 

We  have  not  been  suitably  affected  by  the  tragedies 
that  are  J)eing  enacted  in  the  world  in  which  we  live.  They 
have  not  touched  us  in  a  very  real  way  up  to  this  time,  but 
we  know  that  we  ought  not  to  wait  till  our  own  homes  are 

17 


draped  in  mourning  till  we  awake  to  the  awfulness  of  the 
things  that  are  transpiring.  God  be  merciful  to  us  as 
individuals,  visit  us  as  families  with  Thy  grace  and  saving 
power  and  look  with  favor  upon  the  land  in  which  we  live. 
Spare  our  young  men  and  forbid  that  they  shall  die  upon 
the  field  of  battle  if  it  is  possible  that  honorable,  righteous 
and  enduring  peace  can  be  restored  to  the  world  without 
this  sacrifice;  but  while  we  make  this  plea  we  are  deeply 
conscious  that  there  are  things  worse  than  war  and  death, 
and  if  we  know  our  own  hearts  we  would  lay  on  the  altar 
of  human  liberty  the  fairest  and  best  that  we  have  if  by 
doing  so  we  can  make  our  contribution  to  the  peace  that 
must  ultimately  come.  Pour  out  Thy  Spirit  upon  our 
soldiers,  save  them  from  sin,  give  them  the  courage  of 
noble  men  and  prepare  them  in  heart  and  mind  for  all  the 
events  of  Thy  Providence.    Amen. 


Sunday,  September  2nd,  1917 
Almighty  God,  our  Father  and  our  Saviour,  we  come 
to  Thee  empty-handed  this  morning.  The  cisterns  that 
we  have  hewn  out  for  ourselves  are  empty  too,  for  they  can 
hold  no  water.  It  has  been  difficult  for  us  to  learn  this 
truth,  but  we  know  it  now.  There  is  no  help  for  the 
individual,  the  state  or  nation,  but  in  God.  Our  Wisdom 
has  turned  out  to  be  folly,  our  state-craft  has  proven  futile 
in  the  banishment  of  sin  and  wretchedness  from  society. 
Our  diplomacy  has  failed  to  establish  peace  and  maintain 
international  comity.  In  our  extremity  we  come  to  Thee 
renouncing  our  various  inventions,  and  conscious  of  a  great 
aggravated  wickedness,  we  cast  ourselves,  just  as  we  are, 
upon  the  work  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  uttering,  each  for 
himself,  the  prayer  of  the  penitent  publican,  "God  be 
merciful  to  me  a  sinner."  To  this  prayer,  if  offered  in 
sincerity,  there  can  be  but  one  answer.  We  are  sure  that 
Thou  wilt  bestow  Thy  pardon  and  Thy  love  and  take  us 
back  into  Thy  service,  bending  down  Thine  ear  to  listen 
to  Thy  praises.  We  would  give  ourselves  to  Thy  work 
with  the  zeal  of  genuine  saints  and  with  an  expression  of 

18 


our  love,  by  doing  Thy  will  with  earnestness,  simplicity, 
and  Christian  fidelity.  Oh!  how  heavy  are  the  burdens 
that  we  must  bear!  Help  us  to  bear  them.  Our  necessi- 
ties are  more  than  we  can  enumerate.  Supply  them  from 
Thy  bounty.  Lift  our  eyes  up  from  the  earth  in  which 
they  grope  for  what  this  world  can  never  supply  and  turn 
them  into  a  constant  prayer  that  will  bring  blessings  from 
the  all-hospitable  heavens.  Many  hearts  are  cast  down 
by  ever-recurring  distress.  Lord,  give  comfort  to  these 
burdened  hearts.  Help  those  who  are  about  to  despair, 
and  appear  to  them  as  a  shining  light,  and  let  them  turn 
again  to  their  tasks  with  fresh  courage  and  renewed 
strength.  Be  with  us  in  our  business,  and  save  us  amid 
our  temptations.  Our  pathway  is  beset  with  sins  and 
snares.  We  cannot  go  safely  unless  Thou  wilt  hold  our 
hand  and  direct  our  steps  till  the  journey  is  ended  and  we 
enter  into  Thv  rest — the  life  eternal.    Amen. 


Sunday,  September  9th,  1917 
Our  Father,  we  want  to  be  true  Disciples  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  learn  with  fidelity  the  lessons  He  teaches  us. 
Help  us  to  fix  our  eyes  on  the  goal  He  has  set  for  us.  We 
know  that  He  alone  can  reveal  to  us  the  true  ideal.  There 
is  much  pain  and  suffering  in  this  world,  and  we  must 
bear  our  part  of  them,  but  when  Thy  will  points  to  the 
path  that  is  crowded  with  thorns,  help  us  to  realize  that  it 
is  only  because  flowers  grow  farther  on.  We  would  not 
shrink  from  sacrifice  if  it  is  necessary  to  cleanse  Thy  tem- 
ple. When  sorrows  come  let  us  know  that  they  are  a  part 
of  Thy  great  plan  to  smooth  the  path  of  those  who  are  to 
come  after  us.  If  we  are  called  to  walk  in  the  road  that 
leads  to  the  poverty  of  the  Manger  help  us  to  carry  with 
us  treasures  richer  than  those  offered  by  the  wise  men  of 
old.  Some  times  conditions  drive  slumber  from  our  eyes 
and  we  are  forced  to  keep  watch  in  the  night.  At  such 
times  give  us  ears  to  hear  with  the  Bethlehem  Shepherds 
the  Angels'  song,  When  we  are  called  to  bathe  in  the  chilly 
waters  of  the  Jordan  may  we  see  over  the  head  the  open 

19 


Heavens  and  hear  the  Spirit's  voice.  There  is  no  sacrifice 
that  is  too  great  for  us  to  make  if  we  can  only  realize  that 
it  is  to  prove  a  ministry  of  love  that  will  issue  in  nobler, 
purer,  sweeter  life  for  succeeding  generations.  The  yoke 
is  indeed  easy,  and  Thy  burden  is  light  when  we  are  filled 
with  the  joy  that  Thou  dost  open  up  in  the  hearts  of  those 
who  love  Thee. 

We  offer  our  prayer  this  morning  for  all  men,  but  we 
make  special  intercession  for  those  who  have  responded  to 
the  call  of  our  Country  in  these  trying  days  and  are  sub- 
jected to  the  hardships,  temptations,  and  dangers  of  a 
soldier's  life.    Amen. 


Sunday,  September  16th,  1917 
Almighty  God,  help  us  to  enter  into  Thy  courts  with 
praise  for  Thy  great  benefits,  and  into  the  secret  place  of 
Thy  dwelling  with  a  vision  that  has  been  made  clear  by 
Thy  Spirit,  so  that  we  may  behold  Thy  glory  and  get  the 
inspiration  of  a  great,  new  ambition,  even  the  ambition  to 
see  Thee  with  hearts  that  have  been  purified,  to  love  Thee 
with  ever  deepening  love,  to  read  Thy  truth  with  clearer 
understanding,  and  to  fulfil  Thy  purpose  in  all  the  ac- 
tivities of  our  daily  life.  Out  in  the  work-day  world  we 
have  been  stung  by  pain,  exhausted  by  toil,  maddened  by 
hunger,  and  overwhelmed  with  disappointment.  These 
experiences  drive  us  back  to  our  Father's  house,  and  we 
look  up  into  Thy  face  and  plead  with  Thee  to  abate  the 
agony  of  our  pain,  to  rehabilitate  our  exhausted  energies, 
to  appease  our  hunger  with  the  bread  of  life,  and  to  lift  us 
up  from  the  overwhelming  burden  of  our  disappointment. 
Let  us  hear  from  the  voice  of  Thine  own  Spirit  the  answer 
of  redemption  rather  than  of  judgment.  Help  us  to  take 
heart  from  the  fact  that  tomorrow  will  come  with  new 
chances,  new  opportunities,  and  new  openings  into  clearer 
light,  nobler  liberty,  and  higher  service. 

Breathe  into  our  souls  the  noble  charity  of  Christ's 
own  Spirit,  and  then  we  shall  forgive  our  enemies,  return 
good  for  evil  and  be  filled  with  that  abounding  charity 
which  is  the  highest  manifestation  of  religion.     Amen. 

20 


Sunday,  September  23rd,  1917 

0  God,  our  Father,  we  have  once  more  turned  our 
steps  to  this  place  of  worship.  We  pray  Thee  to  help  us 
to  lift  this  coming  together  above  a  mere  conformity  to 
custom.  Let  the  preacher's  sermon  be  a  message  of 
strength  and  inspiration  from  Thee.  Let  the  hymns  and 
prayers  bring  us  into  Thy  very  presence,  and  make  the 
service  of  the  house  today  more  than  an  intellectual  and 
aesthetic  delight  to  all  who  gather  here.  We  need  to  see 
Thy  face  and  hear  Thy  voice,  that  we  may  go  out  from 
this  place  with  renewed  religious  enthusiasm  and  fresh 
inspiration.  Bless  and  sanctify  all  Thine  appointed  agen- 
cies to  this  end.  We  know  that  Thou  art  ready  to  forgive 
our  sins,  but  we  want  to  hear  the  voice  of  Thy  Spirit  pro- 
nounce the  sentence  of  absolution  which  no  earthly  priest 
can  utter,  however  devoted  and  consecrated  to  Thy  service. 

Bless  the  homes  in  which  we  live  and  the  families  of 
which  we  constitute  a  part.  Help  us  to  be  loving  parents 
and  obedient  children.  May  our  love  be  like  Thine,  O 
Father!  and  may  our  obedience  be  like  that  which  Thy 
Son  rendered  to  Thee.  Open  our  ears  to  hear  the  call  of 
the  Spirit  to  return  to  Thy  service  if  we  have  gone  astray. 
Confirm  in  us  our  purpose  to  achieve  high  character  and 
live  unselfish  lives.  Fit  us  by  Thy  grace  for  the  place  we 
must  occupy  in  the  church  and  in  the  state. 

Continue,  we  pray  Thee,  to  exalt  our  national  ideals 
■and  help  those  who  are  called  to  official  positions  to  formu- 
late them  with  clearness,  force  and  precision,  so  that  they 
may  kindle  in  the  hearts  of  our  people  a  spirit  of  pure 
patriotism  and  sane  solicitude  for  the  peace  and  pros- 
perity not  only  of  our  own  country  but  of  all  the  world. 

Protect  and  defend  our  soldiers  from  the  innumerable 
dangers,  moral  and  physical,  that  are  incident  to  their 
calling.  Help  them  to  lead  clean  manly  lives,  and  bring 
back  to  their  homes  better  and  stronger  men  than  when 
they  went  away;  for  we  dare  to  ask  that  the  discipline  of 
war  may  purify  and  exalt  the  whole  nation.     Amen. 


21 


Sunday,  September  30th,  1917 

O  God,  our  Father,  Thy  love  has  been  extended  to  US 
day  by  day  during  another  week,  and  we  are  here  today 
waiting  for  the  touch  of  Thy  hand.  We  know  that  Thou 
dost  look  upon  us  in  our  sin  and  helplessness  with  a  great 
yearning  compassion.  We  have  had  our  nights  of  weep- 
ing, but  our  tears  have  banished  with  the  morning  and 
Thou  hast  come  to  us  with  renewed  tenderness  and  gentle 
ministry,  so  that  our  nights  of  weeping  have  proven  the 
beginning  of  a  better  and  brighter  time.  For  all  this  we 
render  to  Thee  hearty  thanks,  and  with  penitent  hearts  we 
plead  for  pardon — the  pardon  that  comes  to  us  through  the 
suffering  and  intercession  of  Thy  Son,  our  Saviour. 

Let  Thy  blessings  and  benefits,  and  especially  the 
blessing  of  pardon  fill,  at  least  for  a  season,  the  whole 
horizon  of  our  life,  shutting  out  ever}7  other  consideration 
and  destroying  the  light  of  every  other  attraction. 

Abide  with  us,  loving  Father,  and  Divine  Son,  and  save 
us  from  the  awful  tragedy  of  sin  which  we  are  prone  to 
renew  with  even7  sunrise,  and  which  we  mourn  with  bitter- 
ness every  sunset.  Let  the  time  speedily  pass  when  we 
shall  be  bound  by  these  fetters,  and  let  the  morning  of  our 
complete  deliverance  break  upon  us,  when  our  hearts  shall 
be  pure  enough  to  see  Thee,  when  we  shall  rise  in  the 
nobleness  of  moral  freedom,  and  when  we  shall  be  radiant 
with  the  Spiritual  illumination  which  is  caught  from  un- 
broken fellowship  with  the  Sun  of  Righteousness. 

Remember  in  great  mercy  our  sick  ones  at  home,  soothe 
and  comfort  the  old  man  dying,  fill  with  comfort  the  young 
mother  pining,  put  Thy  strong  protecting  arms  about  the 
little  child  that  he  may  be  safe  and  in  due  time  come  to 
positions  of  high  service  and  noble  consecration.  Seek  out 
by  Thy  Spirit  the  Prodigal  out  of  our  reach,  so  far  away 
in  the  far  country  that  he  is  beyond  the  range  of  every  good 
influence  save  the  far-reaching  mercy  of  Thy  love.  Take 
under  Thy  constant,  loving  care  our  soldiers  and  sailors 
and  let  Thy  mercy  go  out  with  them  and  Thy  blessing  fall 
upon  them  according  to  their  need. 


22 


Bless  the  land  we  love,  give  wisdom  to  all  our  executive 
Officers  and  legislators,  and  teach  our  judges  wisdom  and 
mercy.  Prosper  the  honest  endeavors  of  all  business  men 
and  laborers,  and  let  them  eat  the  bread  of  plentifulness 
with  clean  hearts  and  unstained  hands. 

Some  of  us  see  the  shadows  of  the  evening  of  life 
lengthen.  Tomorrow  we  shall  be  gone.  May  our  going 
be  to  the  radiant  country,  the  verdant  land,  the  sweet  para- 
dise, the  unending  summer.    Amen, 


Sunday,  October  7th,  1917 
O  Lord,  our  Saviour  and  Friend,  Thou  didst  enter  into 
our  experiences  and  we  desire  to  enter  into  Thine.  We 
know  that  Thou  didst  become  a  partaker  of  our  nature  and 
subject  Thyself  to  supreme  human  suffering  that  Thou 
tnightest  sympathize  with  us.  We  cannot  sympathize  with 
Thee  without  living  Thy  life.  We  must  partake  of  Thy 
sorrows  if  we  would  understand  them  so  that  they  may 
move  our  hearts  and  transform  our  lives.  And  while  we 
stand  awed  and  shrinking  at  the  gates  of  Thy  Gethsemane, 
help  us  to  enter  in  and  learn  its  meaning.  We  have  not 
felt  the  pain  of  the  world's  sin  as  Thou  didst  in  the  Gar- 
den, and  therefore  we  have  tolerated  and  condoned  it  in 
our  lives  and  in  the  lives  of  others.  Lord,  make  each  one 
of  us  to  feel  its  horror,  and  then  we  shall  not,  like  the 
Disciples,  sleep  away  the  hour  of  privilege  and  come  to 
our  great  trial  unprepared.  We  would  enter  into  Thy 
Galilee  with  all  its  wonderful  experience  of  joy  and 
triumph  as  well  as  of  pain  and  disappointment,  but  in 
order  to  enter  into  Thy  Galilee  we  must  go  with  Thee 
through  Thy  Samaria  where  we  shall  learn  something  of 
Thy  weariness,  thirst  and  hunger.  Help  us  to  wait  at  the 
well  this  morning  and  then  shall  we  be  able  to  blend  our 
griefs  with  Thine,  and  experience  that  great  compassion 
for  sinners  that  called  forth  Thy  wonderful  words  to  the 
woman  of  Sychar.  We  plead  this  day,  and  even-  day,  that 
we  may  do  Thy  work  with  efficiency,  suffer  Thy  will  with 
patience,  and  learn  to  know  the  real  significance  of  that 

23 


atoning  sacrifice  which  is  found  at  the  heart  of  all  Thy 
words  and  works.    Amen! 


Sunday,  October  14th,  1917 
Almighty  God,  we  dare  to  besiege  Thine  ear  with  un- 
ceasing prayer,  for  our  wants  never  end,  and  when  Thou 
hast  granted  our  request  for  today  we  are  still  unsatisfied, 
and  experience  the  joyous  pain  of  Spiritual  hunger,  and 
the  welcome,  grateful  fire  of  Spiritual  thirst.  We  pray 
that  this  hunger  may  bring  us  again  to  the  bread  of  a 
Father's  table  and  that  our  thirst  may  drive  us  to  the  river 
of  God.  We  do  not  seek  satisfaction  for  that  would  prove 
an  insuperable  barrier  to  progress.  We  pray  for  deliver- 
ance from  dissatisfaction,  for  that  would  paralyze  our 
efforts.  But  we  do  welcome  the  state  of  being  unsatisfied 
for  that  will  stimulate  our  longing  to  be  more  Christly  in 
character,  more  active  in  service,  and  more  devout  in  wor- 
ship. We  want  to  experience  a  continued  growth  of  our 
soul's  life,  an  unceasing  expansion  of  our  Spiritual  ca- 
pacity, a  perpetual  yearning  after  the  boundless  and  un- 
attainable, while  Thou  dost  minister  to  us  according  to 
our  necessity,  capacity  and  aspiration. 

We  offer  to  Thee  humble  praise  for  all  Thy  tender 
mercies  and  loving  kindness.  Receive  these  praises.  Thou 
art  above  and  beyond  our  song  even  as  the  light  is  far 
beyond  the  birds  which  sing  in  its  luster.  We  dare  not 
restrain  our  song,  feeble  and  halting  though  it  be,  for  we 
feel  that  Thy  mercy  will  respond  to  it  and  kindle  the  glow 
of  Thy  love  in  our  cold,  unfeeling  hearts. 

Thou  knowest  our  need.  Thou  seest  our  hands  hang' 
down  in  impotence,  our  heads  confused  with  bewilderment, 
and  our  hearts  burning  with  unsatisfied  longing.  We  are 
conscious  of  our  poverty  and  sin,  and  we  trust  that  we  are 
really  penitent.  Thy  grace  has  richly  provided  for  all  our 
sad  conditions,  and  we  know  that  the  blackness  of  our  life 
is  still  amenable  to  the  blood  of  Christ.  Day  by  day  we 
grow  older.  May  we  become  better.  WTe  have  written  so 
little  of  real  significance  upon  the  flying  days,  and  for 

24 


sortie  of  us  our  opportunities  of  usefulness  Will  soon  be" 
gone.  Help  us  to  rise  and  work  while  it  is  called  today, 
and  ere  the  sun  goes  down  may  we  do  something  that  will 
proclaim  a  high  purpose  and  a  noble  resolve.     Amen! 


Sunday,  October  21st,  1917 

Almighty  Father,  we  approach  Thee  in  the  name  of 
Him,  through  whoin  alone  we  may  hope  to  find  access  to 
Thy  mercy  and  Grace.  For  our  sins  and  shortcomings  we 
lead  His  merit,  making  mention  of  no  good  thing  that  we 
ave  done  or  attempted  to  do,  for  we  know  that  our  best 
deeds  deserve  nothing  at  Thy  hands.  We  live  because  Thy 
compassion  never  fails.  Thy  pity  alone  can  explain  the 
continuance  of  our  days,  and  the  yearning  love  of  Thy 
great  heart  calls  forth  our  praises.  We  wish  to  make  our 
very  breathing  a  song  of  praise  for  Thy  care  and  love  and 
our  lives  a  perpetual  sacrifice  unto  Thee. 

Thou  hast  declared  Thy  counsels  concerning  us  in  the 
simple  and  tender  words  of  Thy  gospel.  May  these  loving 
counsels  of  Thine  find  a  willing,  ready  response  in  our 
hearts  and  in  our  activities.  The  passion  of  our  thank- 
fulness is  great  and  we  come  into  Thy  court  with  loud, 
sweet  songs  that  well  up  from  hearts  fired  with  love  and 
gratitude.  We  would  lift  these  songs  high  above  the  winds 
of  passion  and  strife  that  rage  about  us  and  within  us. 

We  make  our  best  effort  to  put  Ourselves  and  all  that 
is  dear  to  us  in  Thy  hands,  saying  "send  us  what  seemeth 
best  in  Thy  sight."  If  the  light  fall  upon  us  from  Thine 
own  face  we  will  welcome  it  and  greatly  rejoice,  but  if  it 
be  Thy  will  that  great  darkness  should,  for  a  time,  make 
our  way  fearful  we  will  not  murmur,  but  wait  patiently 
for  the  coming  for  the  promised  day.  Only  let  Thy  Holy 
Spirit  abide  with  us  and  keep  us,  and  there  will  be  light 
within  and  Heaven's  own  calm  will  fill  our  souls. 

Help  us  all  to  do  our  work  with  both  hands  diligently. 
Establish  us  in  righteousness  and  fill  us  with  the  expecta- 
tion of  a  faith  that  will  never  sink  into  despair.  Thwart 
all  the  counsels  of  the  wicked  in  church,  state  and  nation* 

25 


and  bring  to  naught  all  their  deliberations  of  malice, 
hatred  and  revenge.  Have  compassion  on  our  enemies 
whether  personal  or  National,  and  help  us  to  rise  above 
all  temptations  of  littleness,  meanness,  envy  and  hatred. 
Our  ever-darkening  guilt  calls  for  the  constant  application 
of  the  blood  of  jesus  Christ  and  for  a  never-failing  vision 
of  His  cross  lifted  above  the  clouds.    Amen! 


Sunday,  October  28th,  1917 
Loving  Father,  we  come  to  Thee  once  more  with  our 
praise  and  thanksgiving  for  what  Thou  hast  done  for  us. 
All  our  blessings  have  come  from  Thee  and  we  desire  to 
trust  all  to  Thee.  We  can  never  hope  to  understand  the 
mystery  of  our  being  with  all  its  varied  experiences,  but  in 
our  seasons  of  agony  and  pain  we  catch  glimpses  of  the 
greatness  of  Thy  purpose  in  causing  us  to  pass  through 
fiery  trials.  In  times  like  these  may  our  vision  be  cleared 
so  that  we  can  still  trace  Thy  hand  in  all  that  is  trans- 
piring in  this  bleeding,  agonizing  world.  Thou  art  con- 
stantly opening  up  to  us  ever  enlarging  spheres  of  service 
and  sacrifice.  We  know  that  this  means  great  glory  and 
honor  if  we  have  the  courage  and  consecration  to  enter  in 
and  do  the  work  and  make  the  sacrifice  to  which  Thou 
dost  call  Us.  We  are  all  Thy  children,  and  Thou  knowest 
our  whole  story.  We  know  that  we  shall  not  be  left  with- 
out a  friend  for  Thy  name  is  Love.  We  sometimes  wonder 
Why  we  are  here,  but  when  we  experience  the  mystery  of 
the  patience  which  Thou  hast  sometimes  wrough  within 
us,  we  are  content  to  abide  in  our  little  spheres,  saying, 
"Not  my  will,  but  Thine  be  done." 

Lord,  Thou  hast  bestowed  upon  us,  as  a  nation,  multi- 
tudinous wealth.  Help  us  to  use  it  for  Thy  glory.  We 
realize  that  our  wonderful  resources  and  our  great  accu- 
mulations have  betrayed  us,  as  a  people,  into  great  self- 
indulgence  and  into  habits  of  luxuriousness,  that  have 
been  sapping  Our  manhood  and  destroying  our  morality. 
We  face  conditions  today  in  our  National  and  individual 
life  that  bring  to  us  a  great  opportunity  to  rehabilitate  by 

26 


sacrifice  and  service  the  physical,  moral,  and  spiritual 
manhood  of  the  Nation.  Help  us  to  see  our  opportunity, 
give  to  us  dreams  that  are  inspired,  and  flash  upon  us 
visions  that  gleam  in  the  light  of  Thy  countenance.  We 
dare  not  sink  into  despair,  but  in  the  strength  that  Thou 
alone  canst  impart  we  would  gird  ourselves  for  the  conflict, 
for  it  is  worth  while  to  fight  all  the  battle  and  endure  all 
sorrow,  that  at  the  end  we  may  feel  the  peacefulness  of 
peace  and  the  restfulness  of  rest.  We  offer  all  our  praise 
and  prayer  in  Christ's  name.    Amen. 


SunSAy,  November  4th,  19117 

Lord,  in  the  course  of  Thine  earthly  ministry  Thoii 
didst  experience  the  depression  and  disappointment  of 
faded  hope.  We  are  glad  that  Thou  didst  enter  into  this 
experience  too;  for  this  is  an  ever-recurring  experience  of 
our  own  lives.  And  withered  hopes  are  worse  than 
withered  flowers,  for  withered  flowers  have  fulfilled  their 
mission,  and  drop  away  in  the  natural  course  of  nature, 
but  hope's  fulfilment  has  never  come.  Our  ideal  dreams 
have  faded  from  our  vision  and  left  us  in  depression  and 
deep  bereavement.  It  cheers  us  to  know  that  Thou  hast 
shown  us  the  crossing  of  this  river  too.  Great  indeed  would 
have  been  the  blank  if  Thy  thoughtfulness  and  care  had 
failed  us  here.  Thou  wast  tempted  in  all  things  and  Thou 
didst  not  forget  to  enter  into  those  innumerable  tempta- 
tions of  our  withered  dreams.  Blighted  hopes  for  our- 
selves, our  children  and  our  friends  are  no  unfamiliar 
experience  to  the  most  successful  of  us.  Let  the  memory 
that  Thy  blighted  hopes  did  not  wither  Thy  heart,  cheer 
us  and  enable  us  to  keep  our  hearts  fresh  and  green.  As 
we  contemplate  the  fading  of  Thy  hope  ours  is  enlarged, 
for  we  learn  that  the  moment  of  disappointment  may  be  a 
Divine  moment  fraught  with  highest  interests  and  con- 
training  the  inspirations  of  noblest  ideals. 

We  make  intercession  this  morning  for  the  sick  and 
sorrowing  everywhere,  for  our  country,  with  all  the  dan- 
gers that  threaten  it,  for  our  President  and  all  officials 

27 


both  high  and  low,  that  they  may  have  the  guidance  of 
Thy  Spirit,  the  courage  that  springs  from  a  lofty  idealism 
and  the  hope  that  is  born  of  faith  in  God.  Remember 
especially,  in  great  mercy  and  tenderness,  our  sons  and 
daughters  that  are  enlisted  in  the  dreadful  war  into  which 
our  country  has  been  drawn.  Hasten  the  coming  of  honor- 
able peace,  defeat,  if  it  be  Thy  will,  all  the  purposes  and 
plans  of  oUr  enemy  and  give  Us  success  in  Our  efforts  to 
achieve  victory  for  the  ideals  that  we  believe  are  in  har- 
mony with  the  will  of  God. 

Pour  out  Thy  Spirit  in  rich  abundance  upon  the 
Church  of  God,  make  its  membership  humble  in  heart, 
Christly  in  character,  and  holy  in  all  manner  of  conversa- 
tion.   Amen. 


Sunday,  November  11  Tit,  1917 
Lord,  we  are  gathered  in  Thy  house  today  and  are  ask- 
ing the  question,  "What  are  we  here  for?'*  The  answer 
that  comes  is,  "To  be  fitted  for  a  place  in  the  ranks  of 
Thine  army."  We  crave  for  ourselves  Thy  best  robe,  be- 
cause we  know  that  it  is  the  soldiers'  robe.  We  need  a 
true  Military  spirit — the  spirit  that  banishes  fear.  That 
spirit  is  the  spirit  of  love,  and  it  alone  can  fit  us  for  our 
seasons  of  waiting.  Lord,  it  is  the  silence  and  not  the  con- 
flict which  makes  us  tremble  with  fear.  We  have  some- 
times thought  that  if  we  could  be  freed  from  the  allure- 
ments of  the  world  and  escape  its  scenes  of  temptations, 
we  might  dispense  with  the  soldiers'  garb,  but  when  we 
have  tried  it  we  have  still  felt  the  need  of  our  armor;  for 
the  scene  of  the  most  trying  temptation  is  within  us,  and 
we  have  fought  our  bitterest  battles  in  the  silent  field  of 
our  inner  nature.  It  is  when  we  stand  face  to  face  with 
self  that  we  most  need  Thy  grace  and  power.  The  ap- 
plause of  the  multitude  oftentimes  makes  sacrifice  easy, 
but  when  the  multitude  is  gone,  when  the  spectators  have 
withdrawn,  and  we  see  no  banners  and  hear  no  trumpets, 
but  are  alone,  then  it  is  that  we  need  the  armor  of  God. 
When  in  the  darkness  we  are  alone  with  our  own  erring 

28 


souls,  we  need  the  armor  that  can  withstand  the  great 
battle  where  there  fights  but  one.  The  sword  is  for  our 
seasons  of  solitude,  the  spear  is  for  life's  great  silences,  the 
helmet  is  for  the  hours  that  we  are  called  to  spend  in  the 
hermitage.  We  need  quickening  for  our  periods  of  silence, 
we  must  be  fortified  for  the  fireside,  strengthened  for  the 
study  and  inspired  for  the  inland  calm  as  well  as  for  the 
storm-tossed  main.  Clothe  us  with  Thy  might,  lead  us 
with  Thine  own  hand,  and  save  us  in  Thy  kingdom  for 
Christ's  sake.    Amen. 


Sunday,  November  18th,  1917 
Lord,  we  would  approach  Thee  this  morning  filled  with 
the  sense  of  our  great  need,  seeking  the  golden  gate  into 
that  perfection  for  which  our  hearts  are  hungry.  Some- 
times we  have  dared  to  think  of  our  own  virtues  and  to 
imagine  that  we  had  some  light  of  our  own  but  this  has 
been  when  we  have  compared  ourselves  with  others  like 
us.  When  we  have  stood  in  the  dazzling  light  of  the  Sun 
of  Righteousness  our  little  flickering  candle  has  been 
eclipsed  and  become  invisible.  At  seasons  like  this,  de- 
pression has  thrown  its  shadow  over  us,  and  we  have  wept 
because  of  our  imperfections,  but  our  weeping  has  been  a 
glorious  weeping  and  our  tears  have  turned  out  to  be  happy 
tears,  for  they  have  had  in  them  the  rainbow  of  higher 
hopes  and  worthier  aspirations.  Lord  consume  our  self- 
complacency  with  the  fire  of  Thy  judgment,  and  while  we 
stand  dumb  before  the  whiteness  of  Thy  holiness,  help  us 
to  rejoice  that  our  little  torch  is  extinguished  by  Thy  glory, 
and  that  our  faded  colors  are  exposed  by  the  light  of  a 
love  that  encompasses  us  with  its  beneficent  atmosphere. 
Speak  to  us  this  morning  by  the  voice  of  Thy  spirit  and 
we  shall  be  strengthened  for  the  conflict  that  is  before  us. 
Gird  us  with  Thy  power  and  we  shall  enter  into  the  battle 
that  we  must  fight  with  the  confidence  and  courage  that 
will  bring  victor}-  over  all  the  foes  of  our  spiritual  nature. 
Let  the  experience  that  shall  come  to  us  this  day  be  such 
as  shall  leave  upon  our  characters  a  permanent  impression 

29 


of  holiness.  Set  us  apart  afresh  for  service  and  sacrifice 
that  those  of  us  whom  Thou  hast  called  into  the  sacred 
office  of  the  Ministry  may  go  away  from  this  place  con- 
scious of  quickened  energy  and  renewed  powers.  May  the 
experiences  through  which  we  are  passing  as  a  nation 
purify  our  social  life,  deepen  our  spirituality  and  cause  us 
to  rely  more  firmly  upon  Thy  grace  and  power.    Amen. 


Sunday,  November  25  th,  1917 

Almighty  God,  we  call  this  Thy  day,  we  are  here  to 
study  Thy  book,  and  to  bow  in  homage  and  expectation  at 
Thy  altar.  We  sing  to  Thee  with  our  tongues  and  speak 
to  Thee  with  our  lips,  but  in  the  hidden  places  of  our 
heart  there  are  desires  that  can  never  find  expression  in 
either  song  or  prayer.  But,  Lord,  Thou  canst  hear  even 
our  unuttered  desires.  We  feel  the  burden  of  our  guilt  and 
the  sting  of  that  remorse  that  would  render  life  intolerable 
but  for  the  expectation  that  Thy  spirit  inspires  within 
us — the  expectation  that  we  shall  be  more  than  satisfied 
by  the  rich  provisions  that  Thou  hast  made  for  us  in  the 
cross.  Thy  mercy  has  been  tender  and  Thy  kindness  con- 
stant and  loving.  We  lift  up  our  hearts  and  voices  in 
praise  to  Thee  for  them.  We  can  never  understand  the 
mystery  of  Thy  power  by  which  we  have  been  brought  into 
being,  nor  can  we  fathom  the  mystery  of  Thy  providence 
by  which  we  have  been  preserved;  and  the  mystery  of  Thy 
grace  by  which  we  are  being  saved  is  infinitely  beyond  our 
comprehension.  We  can  neither  understand  the  present, 
passing,  dying  moment,  nor  can  we  forecast  the  future,  but 
we  know  Thee  and  are  willing  to  leave  ourselves  in  Thy 
hands,  for  Thou  hast  gathered  the  lambs  of  Thy  flock  in 
Thy  arms  and  hast  led  the  flock  up  the  steep  places  and 
caused  Thy  loved  ones  to  lie  down  in  green  pastures. 
Thou  hast  opened  up  wells  for  us  even  in  the  wilderness 
and  caused  the  stars  to  shine  upon  us  in  the  darkness. 

We  find  ourselves  in  great  perplexity,  and  we  some- 
times stare  through  blinding  tears  into  an  unknown  future, 
but  our  very  tears  are  intended  to  clear  our  vision  and 

30 


enable  us  to  see  the  hidden  beaut}-  of  Thy  movement  and 
the  sacred  grandeur  of  Thy  purpose.  Knowing  this,  we 
would  rest  in  Thee.  O  God,  and  wait  patiently  for  the  re- 
ward that  Thou  hast  in  store  for  them  that  trust  Thee. 

Make  us  to  realize  how  swiftly  and  silently  the  years 
are  stealing  away,  and  how  rapidly  some  of  us  are  coming 
to  responsibility,  some  to  maturity,  and  others  to  old  age. 
So  teach  us  to  number  our  days  that  we  may  apply  our 
hearts  unto  wisdom. 

Forgive  our  sins,  we  pray,  in  the  name  of  the  one  Life, 
the  one  Death,  the  one  Blood,  the  one  Priesthood  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.    Amen, 


Sunday,  December  2nd.  1917 
Gracious  Father,  we  need  Thee  today  and  even-  day, 
but  this  is  the  day  set  apart  for  our  moral  and  spiritual 
education,  because  it  is  the  day  set  apart  for  the  reading 
of  Thy  word  and  the  offering  of  prayers  at  a  throne  of 
grace.  We  desire  to  come  to  Thee  in  a  spirit  of  penitence 
and  humility.  In  the  estimate  that  we  have  set  upon  our- 
selves we  have  often  pitched  our  tents  dangerously  close  to 
the  Pharisee,  we  dare  not  claim  anything  for  ourselves. 
Humility  knows  not  that  it  is  humble,  and  only  the  egotist 
thinks  of  his  own  spiritual  attainments.  The  good  man 
is  unconscious  of  his  goodness  as  is  the  rose  of  its  per- 
fume. Lord,  we  yearn  for  unconscious  goodness,  for  we 
know  that  this  alone  can  commend  us  to  Thee. 

We  want  to  know  that  we  love  Thee,  O  Christ,  but  only 
as  we  know  that  we  love  those  that  are  dear  to  us  here  and 
for  whom  sacrifice  and  service  are  the  joy  of  life.  When 
we  think  we  are  good  we  may  be  worse  than  the  drunkards 
and  harlots  as  were  the  Pharisees  in  the  days  oi  our  Sa- 
viour's earthly  ministry.  Help  us  to  not  only  remember 
the  tender  words  of  Christ  but  may  we  also  dwell  upon  His 
terrible  words.  Teach  us  the  subtlety-  of  our  temptations. 
Save  us  from  the  deadly  sin  of  self-righteousness.  As  we 
approach  Thy  table  today  help  us  to  approach  it  in  peni- 
tence lest  there  come  to  us  a  rude  awakening  when  Christ 

31 


shall  say,  "I  never  knew  you."  When  the  man  of  the 
streets  tells  us  that  we  are  no  better  than  our  rude,  un- 
cultured neighbor  from  the  slums  may  we  ponder  his  mes- 
sage, for  though  unordained  is  language,  plain  as  that  of 
John  the  Baptist  may  have  in  it  the  sting  and  boldness  of 
that  great  prophet. 

Let  us  be  suitably  affected  by  the  teachings  of  Christ 
on  the  subject  of  sin  and  may  our  hearts  break  as  we  medi- 
tate upon  His  word.  Then  shall  we  be  prepared  to  hear 
His  tender  appeal  and  His  gracious  invitation.  We  would 
do  Thy  will  so  that  we  may  know  Thy  truth  and  enter  into 
fellowship  with  Thee. 

Remember,  protect  and  purify  our  sons  that  bear  arms 
in  the  war  in  which  we  are  engaged.  Turn  their  thoughts 
to  Christ  and  save  them  in  the  midst  of  the  temptations 
through  which  they  are  passing.  Forget  not  Thy  church 
but  purify  it,  exhalt  it,  and  intensify  its  influence  for 
Christ's  sake.     Amen. 


Sunday,  December  9th,  1917 
Almighty  God,  we  belong  to  Thee,  for  Thou  hast  cre- 
ated us  by  Thy  power  and  preserved  us  by  Thy  provi- 
dences, but  Thy  sovereign  right  to  us  has  not  always  won 
our  love  and  led  us  to  a  full  recognition  of  Thy  rightful 
claims,  but  when  we  have  rebelled  against  Thy  will  and 
resisted  Thy  authority,  Thou  hast  condescended  to  give  us 
such  a  manifestation  of  Thy  love  and  solitude  through  the 
mercy  and  grace  secured  to  us  through  the  gift  of  Thy  Son 
that  the  very  contemplation  of  it  moves  us  to  respond  to 
the  silent  appeals  of  Thy  spirit  for  service  and  sacrifice. 
So  we  come  this  morning  moved  by  no  external  constraint, 
but  impelled  by  that  love  which  makes  us  long  to  give  our- 
selves to  Thee  in  a  service  that  has  in  it  no  element  of 
slavery,  but  which  is  the  exercise  of  the  highest  and  sweetest 
liberty.  We  pray  for  a  deep  realization  of  that  possession 
of  us  which  will  fill  us  with  a  desire  to  consecrate  all  our 
capacities  and  powers  to  Thee,  and  cause  us  to  realize  the 
richness   of  our  inheritance  of  high   fellowship,   perfect 

32 


safety,  inestimable  treasures  of  grace,  and  immortal  life 
that  are  involved  in  the  mutual  indwelling  of  Christ  in  us 
and  us  in  Christ. 

Give  wisdom  and  guidance  to  the  President  of  the  Na- 
tion. Help  him  to  cling  with  ever-deepening  devotion  to 
the  lofty  principles  of  generosity  and  justice  that  he  has 
just  proclaimed  in  his  message  to  our  National  Legislature, 
to  which  are  committed  the  interests  of  a  great  nation  that 
Thou  hast  so  abundantly  blessed,  but  which,  in  Thy  provi- 
dence, is  called  upon  to  make  great  sacrifices  of  blood  and 
treasure  for  the  maintenance  of  these  principles. 

Help  us  to  trust  in  Thee,  and  so  consecrate  ourselves 
to  Thee  as  a  Nation,  that  Thou  wilt  continue  to  spread 
above  us  Thy  protecting  care,  give  success  to  our  armies, 
shield  our  soldiers  from  harm  and  danger,  and  shape 
them,  by  the  discipline  through  which  they  are  passing, 
into  men  of  moral  strength  and  spiritual  power. 

Comfort  and  strengthen  the  hearts  of  those  families 
whose  sons  and  loved  ones  have  been  called  into  the  ser- 
vice of  their  country.  Find  Thy  way  into  the  homes  and 
hearts  of  those  who  sit  under  the  shadow  of  bereavement, 
and  minister  to  such  the  comfort  and  consolation  which 
the  kindest  and  the  most  considerate  of  human  friends  can 
never  bestow. 

Make  the  services  of  Thy  house  this  morning  especi- 
ally helpful  and  refreshing  to  the  weary  anxious  spirits 
that  are  here  to  be  fed.  To  this  end  bestow  a  blessing  of 
power  and  spiritual  perception  upon  him  who  shall  preach 
the  word  today.    Amen. 


Sunday,  December  16th,  1917 
Almighty  Father,  we  have  hewn  us  out  cisterns  but 
they  hold  no  water.  And  our  efforts  at  independence  have 
been  sad  indeed,  and  our  dependence  upon  man  has  been 
as  disappointing  as  our  self-dependence,  and  we  are  re- 
motely conscious,  at  least,  that  there  is  no  help  for  us, 
either  as  individuals,  or  as  a  nation,  but  in  the  living  God, 
the  loving  Saviour.     We  want  to  surrender  to  Thee,  and 

33 


we  do  here  and  now  renounce  the  various  inventions  on 
which  we  have  dared  to  rely,  and  come  to  Thee  empty- 
handed,  feeling  our  burden  of  sin,  conscious  of  our  aggra- 
vated wickedness,  and  cast  ourselves  upon  the  atoning 
merits  of  Jesus  Christ. 

When  we  have  done  this  heretofore  we  have  found  Thee 
ready  to  pardon,  and  when  we  have  said  each  for  himself, 
''God  be  merciful  unto  me  a  sinner,"  Thy  answer  has  al- 
ways been  an  answer  of  love. 

When  we  have  grieved  Thee  and  felt  ashamed  to  ap- 
proach Thy  throne  of  grace  Thou  hast  brought  us  back  to 
Thy  side,  and  we  have  dared  to  take  part  in  Thy  praise 
and  to  become  active  once  more  in  Thy  sendee.  Lord,  we 
are  tired  of  sin  this  morning.  It  has  never  satisfied  the 
longings  of  our  hungry  hearts,  so  with  earnestness,  sim- 
plicity and  humble  trust  would  we  gird  ourselves  for  the 
work  that  lies  before  us,  and  with  burning  zeal,  constant 
love,  and  unwavering  faith,  would  we  do  Thy  will.  The 
necessities  of  life  are  indeed  great  and  as  numerous  as  the 
moments  but  Thou  canst  supply  them  all.  We  lift  up  our 
life  which  is  a  great  crying  want  to  the  all-hospitable 
heaven  till  it  shapes  itself  into  a  great  appealing  prayer. 
We  refuse  longer  to  grope  on  earth  for  that  which  earth 
can  never  supply.  We  have  our  burdens  and  shall  con- 
tinue to  have  them,  no  doubt,  but  we  shall  forget  them  as 
we  experience  that  increase  of  strength  which  Thy  spirit 
waits  to  supply.  Cast  our  sins  behind  Thee,  make  duty  a 
great  delight,  and  life  a  glowing  sacrifice.  Guide  the  per- 
plexed, sooth  those  who  are  worn  out  by  daily  distress, 
save  the  despairing  who  think  that  they  have  knocked  at 
every  door,  and  shed  upon  them  that  glorious  light  which 
will  reveal  to  them  Thy  great  deliverance.  Guide  us  in 
our  business  and  help  us  to  realize  that  Thy  loving  hand 
is  upon  us  every  step  of  the  journey. 

Hear  the  agonizing  cry  that  goes  up  from  some  of  our 
hearts  for  loved  ones  that  are  subjected  to  the  dangers  that 
are  incident  to  a  soldier's  life.  Bring  them  back  to  us  in 
safety,  if  it  be  Thy  will,  if  not,  accept  the  sacrifice  which 
we  make  for  the  world's  good.    Amen. 

34 


Sunday,  December  23rd,  1917 

Almighty  Father,  let  us  hear  Thee  speak  to  us  today, 
for  the  music  of  Thy  voice  and  the  tenderness  of  Thy 
tones  bring  peace  to  our  listening  hearts.  We  want  to 
stand  in  the  broad  light  of  a  boundless  day.  We  can  do 
this  only  through  faith  in  Christ  who  disperses  the  clouds 
of  sadness  and  intolerable  depression  that  settle  down  upon 
us  in  a  time  like  this. 

While  we  celebrate  the  advent  of  Thy  Son,  who  came 
to  save  us  from  our  sins,  let  us  experience  the  plentitude 
of  His  redeeming  power.  Help  us  to  receive  Him  as  the 
weary,  watching  soul  receives  the  light  for  if  we  receive 
Him  thus  He  will  bring  to  us  rest,  security  and  peace. 

We  hear  the  call  of  strange,  new  duties.  May  we  be 
prepared  for  them  by  the  inspiration  of  rekindled  hopes. 
May  there  be  a  rebirth  every  day  in  our  hearts  of  the  Prince 
of  Peace,  the  King  of  Kings,  and  may  they  become  the 
Bethlehem  of  His  incarnation.  Dwell  in  us,  O,  Christ, 
inspire  our  service,  and  make  our  lives  the  sphere  of  Thy 
illuminating  and  redeeming  ministry.  We  give  ourselves 
to  Thee  to  be  used  as  seemeth  best  to  Thee.  Send  us  where 
Thou  wouldst  have  us  go,  give  us  such  prosperity  or  such 
adversity  and  chastening,  as  will  bring  out  the  best  that 
is  in  us;  for  we  will  welcome  adversity,  poverty  and  dis- 
appointment if  these  are  necessary  to  establish  Thy  king- 
dom in  our  hearts. 

Pity  this  smitten,  bleeding  world  in  its  distress,  restore 
peace  if  it  be  Thy  will  to  its  warring  nations,  protect  and 
defend  our  country  and  our  loved  ones  in  the  danger  that 
threatens  them.    Amen. 


Sunday,  December  30th,  1917 
O  God  our  Father,  we  have  come  to  the  last  Sunday  of 
another  year.  It  has  taken  us  into  strange,  new  experiences, 
but  amid  all  Thy  goodness  has  supplied  all  our  needs,  and 
Thy  grace  has  been  richly  ministered  to  us.  We  have  felt 
the  hand  of  discipline,  but  in  all  we  have  been  able  to  trace 
a  Father's  love.     Thou  art  training  us  for  new  duties  and 

35 


responsibilities.  Thou  art  equipping  us  for  larger  service, 
greater  firmness  in  our  resistance  of  temptation,  and  greater 
courage  in  the  dangers  and  crises  of  life.  We  are  grateful 
to  Thee  for  this  fatherly  discipline. 

Help  us  to  love  all  men,  and  give  to  us  those  spiritual 
graces  which  will  make  us  strength  to  the  weak,  hope  to 
the  despondent,  joy  to  the  sorrowing,  and  power  to  the 
tempted. 

Give  us  a  fresh  baptism  of  Thy  spirit  with  which  to 
enter  upon  the  New  Year  which  is  just  before  us.  We 
await  the  touch  of  that  hand  that  brings  healing  to  our 
diseased  spirits,  and  listen  for  that  voice  which  allays  our 
fears  and  quiets  our  anxieties.  Lord,  bless  our  country  in 
the  hour  of  its  trial,  and  help  those  who  direct  our  govern- 
ment to  solve  with  wisdom  the  problems  which  confront 
them.  Protect  our  army  and  the  armies  of  our  Allies  while 
they  fight  for  the  principles  of  human  liberty.  Comfort 
the  hearts  of  all  who  have  given  sons,  husbands,  or  loved 
ones  to  this  great  world  conflict.  Come  into  the  hearts  of 
our  soldiers  and  dwell  there,  thus  preparing  them  for  any 
event  of  Thy  providence.    Amen. 


Sunday,  January  6th,  1918 

O  God,  we  know  Thou  art  the  God  of  light,  liberty, 
love  and  life,  and  we  ask  Thee  to  illumine  our  hearts,  and 
send  us  forth  to  the  duties  of  this  new  day  and  new  year 
with  the  joy  of  faith,  the  gladness  of  obedience  welling  up 
in  our  hearts,  and  with  a  vision  of  truth  and  duty  that  will 
equip  us  for  better  service. 

Thou  hast  given  us  the  sublime  and  awful  gift  of  the 
freedom  of  the  will.  Make  us  to  know  the  responsibility 
that  is  involved  in  this  endowment.  And  help  us  to  realize 
that  our  will  is  ours  that  we  may  make  it  Thine,  and  may 

enter  into  the  highest  liberty  by  becoming 

AMEN! 

(These  are  the  last  words  penned  by  Dr.  Byrd,  found 
on  his  study  desk.  He  left  the  task  unfinished  and  has 
"entered  into  the  highest  liberty.") 

36 


Sunday,  January  13  th,  1918 

"Our  Father,  we  so  often  address  our  prayers  to  Thee 
feeling  that  Thou  art  in  some  remote  place  which  we  call 
heaven,  but  sometimes  we  realize  that  Thou  art  with  us 
and  even  in  us.  Make  this  realization  peculiarly  vivid 
today  as  we  unite  in  our  accustomed  worship.  We  need 
a  God  that  is  near  at  hand  and  whose  ears  are  always  open 
to  our  cry. 

We  are  sinners,  though  we  are  trying  to  trust  the  merit 
of  our  Divine  Saviour,  that  we  may  be  cleansed  from  our 
sins,  consecrated  to  Thy  service,  and  endued  with  great 
spiritual  power.  This  is  our  hope  for  usefulness  here  and 
for  a  blessed  immortality  hereafter.  If  we  know  our  own 
hearts  we  cannot  be  satisfied  with  bare  salvation  but  we 
long  to  rise  to  heights  of  usefulness  and  service  that  will 
bring  honor  to  Thy  name,  advance  the  Kingdom  of  which 
we  are  subjects  and  the  family  of  God  of  which  we  are 
members. 

Let  our  hymns  of  praise  and  our  prayers  all  have  in 
them  the  inspiration  of  Thy  spirit.  Make  all  our  worship 
today  so  sincere,  simple  and  fervent  that  all  hearts  shall 
feel  its  influence  and  have  upon  them  an  abiding  impres- 
sion. 

Awaken  the  indifferent,  bring  those  who  waver  to  a 
decision  for  Thee,  and  help  us  all  to  hear  Thy  call  to  a 
deeper  and  more  effective  Christian  life.    Amen!" 

(This  prayer  was  written  by  Dr.  Byrd  several  weeks 
ago  and  laid  away  to  be  used  at  some  future  time). 


37 


